Thursday, September 8 - Plot structure review / creative writing

Objective: By the end of class, students will review the elements of plot structure, create an original story plotted along the lines in order to develop understanding of text structure and improve reading comprehensive skills and writing skills.

DO NOW 
Define the following three words (from the syllabus):

1. Genre
2. Rigorous
3. Synthesize

Direct Instruction
What are the components of a plot structure? Review Components - provide plot structure graphic organizers and review WITH DIAGRAM UP HERE .

Guided

Model example 

My sample personal story plot structure

Protagonist – me

Antagonist – jellyfish

Setting / exposition – the beach and what is happening on it

Conflict - main problem between protagonist and antagonist

Rising action – 

1-feared jellyfish but got paddle board into water

2- carefully got on board and paddled far out into the ocean

3- saw a pod of dolphins in the distance swimming towards me

Climax – dolphins jumped and swam in and around me

Falling Action – dolphins swam off and I paddled back

Resolution- got to shore safely and told all my friends

 Translate this into prose format:

The weather was perfect – clear, blue skies and 85 degrees. The sand was soft as a pillow under my feet and the ocean water was crystal clear, calm and warm as a bath but there were tons of jellyfish everywhere. Most people decided not to go in the ocean for fear of getting stung, but I thought, “ If I don’t fall, I’ll be ok.” I decided to take the paddle board out for a ride.  I paddled far out into the ocean, through hundreds of jellyfish until I was so far from shore, there were no more jellyfish.  I was having so much fun, I paddled much further than I had planned. I could I could barely see the dock. I stopped and started to turn around when suddenly I saw a huge pod of dolphins swimming my way. How exciting! They were coming straight towards me. When they got close to me, they jumped out of the water, flipped in the air and swam all around me! The dolphins seemed to be looking at me! It was thrilling to be so close to them in their environment. Finally, they swam off and I paddled to shore. I was so excited and told all of my friends about my adventure.

THEME ?

Independent

Use plot structure graphic organizer to develop a personal story that fits each component. Plan to expand on your story to translate it into prose (paragraph) form.

When expanding the story into prose, be sure to use descriptive words for the setting. Use transitional words for the rising action, etc.

Check for Understanding

Individual checks during independent work.

Closure

Review elements of plot structure .

Exit Pass

What was your (author's) purpose in writing this piece? (entertain, inform, or persuade?) What is your message (theme)?